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Day 1

Paradise

Mark 15:27–32, John 10:28–30, Romans 6:20–23, 1 John 5:11–13

“You will be with me in paradise.”

Christ’s pardon of the repentant thief reveals his desire to extend eternal life to all.

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” — Luke 23:39–43

Suspended between life and death, one criminal mocked Jesus. But Matthew tells us that at some time, both criminals mocked him (Matthew 27:44). Something must have changed the heart of the penitent thief. What miracle transformed his heart of stone? Maybe it was when he looked into Jesus’ eyes and heard him pray, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

The penitent thief saw the depth of his sin. “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds.” He recognized the sinlessness of the Savior. “This man has done nothing wrong.” And he confessed Jesus as Lord, showing he recognized Jesus as the ruler of a heavenly kingdom.

The result was eternal life. “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Paradise is from a Persian word that symbolizes a place of beauty and delight. Amazing grace made a criminal immediately fit for paradise. God’s grace still does the same to every repentant sinner. In the words of hymnist William Cowper:

“There is a fountain filled with blood,

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins.

And sinners plunged beneath that flood,

Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see,

That fountain in his day.

And there may I, though vile as he,

Wash all my sins away!”

REFLECTION

The thief confessed Jesus as Lord and recognized his kingdom. Reflect on your own confession of faith. How do you daily affirm Jesus as Lord in your life? What areas of your life do you need to surrender to his lordship?

APPLICATION

Meditate on Luke 23:39–43 and the additional readings (Mark 15:27–32; John 10:28–30; Romans 6:20–23; 1 John 5:11–13). After reading, pray, asking God to help you internalize the truth about repentance, grace, and eternal life.

PRAY

Heavenly Father,

We are humbled by the repentant thief who found forgiveness in his last moments. We see ourselves as that thief and understand that we, too, deserve the consequences of our actions. And, like him, we look to Jesus and his mercy.

We marvel at the grace that extended paradise to a repentant sinner, showing your desire to grant eternal life to all who turn to you. As the thief recognized your kingdom, we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Thank you for the forgiveness and new life that comes through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. His blood washes away all our guilty stains, making us fit for paradise. We find our hope in the promise of eternal life with you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why The Cross

The cross is foundational to everything we do as disciples and ministers. If we want to remain faithful to the call God has given us as a global family of churches, we must continue to be Christ-centered.

Introduction

Isaiah 53:10–12, Matthew 5:43–45, Matthew 27:33–44, Acts 7:59–60

“Father, forgive them.” Christ’s forgiveness of his tormentors reveals God’s desire to extend forgiveness to all. “And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.” — Luke 23:33–34 Jesus hangs from the cross, looking upon the very people that he came to earth to save. The crowds are watching, the soldiers are gambling, the rulers are scoffing, and Jesus is dying. It’s a chaotic scene, yet at its heart, it’s about something incredibly pure—forgiveness. Jesus, amidst his suffering, looks down and says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The word “them” is a broad label. Who does it include? It includes the brutal and heartless soldiers throwing dice for his clothes, representing Roman power. It includes the mocking Jewish rulers who conspired against him and pushed for his execution. And it includes the crowds who, just hours before, called for his death. The actions of the Gentiles and Jews remind us that Jesus’ forgiveness spans wide, reaching those who are far from him and those who are close. “. . . for they know not what they do.” Can you recall when you said or did something sinful without knowing how damaging your behavior was? One scholar said, “Ignorance may diminish guilt, but does not remove it.” Christ’s forgiveness is not only limited to those present at his crucifixion. The prophet Isaiah tells us that Jesus was “despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). At the cross, “them” includes us. This is at the heart of Jesus’ words. He understands our sin-sick condition and intercedes on our behalf both in prayer and sacrifice, taking our punishment and offering himself as the only pathway back to God and reconciling us to the Father on the cross. The Methodist hymn “Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive” captures well the power of Christ’s forgiveness: “How can Your pardon reach and bless the unforgiving heart That broods on wrongs and will not let old bitterness depart? In blazing light Your cross reveals the truth we dimly knew: How trifling others’ debts to us; how great our debt to You!” REFLECTION Isaiah 53:3 describes Jesus as “despised and rejected by men.” How does Christ’s sacrificial forgiveness shape your response to being wronged or to those you may have wronged? APPLICATION Ask the Holy Spirit to show you someone you have unforgiveness toward. Determine how you will resolve that situation. PRAY Heavenly Father, We remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We realize that “them” includes us and that our sins are part of why he suffered. Thank you for the wide-reaching forgiveness Jesus offers us. Open our eyes to see the harm our actions may cause and give us the grace to seek and offer forgiveness. We know the immense debt we owe you and how trivial our grievances against others are in comparison. In the light of the cross, we see the truth of our need for grace and the call to extend that grace to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 2

Ephesians 2:14–16, Colossians 3:11–15, John 1:11–13, John 13:34–35

“Woman, behold your son.” Christ’s relational provision for his mother reveals the new community the cross creates. “. . . but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” — John 19:25–27 Family. We all have one. Jesus, God Incarnate, also had a human family he called his own. Scripture provides few details about his boyhood, but we know he was fully human and experienced things first-century Jewish boys would. Like any young boy spending time with his friends, we can imagine him carving wood, wrestling, and exploring. He knew the stability of weekly Sabbath dinners, the traditions of annual holidays, and a sense of belonging from his Jewish heritage. Family. God’s gift. He grew to manhood and, in an act of obedience, hung on the cross. Mary and John stood at his feet. The clock was ticking. His death was near, and Jesus made two remarkable statements. A hush would soon fall, but at this moment, perhaps Mary and John strained to hear him above the din. What was he saying? With his last words spoken to his mother and his beloved disciple before his death, he broadened the meaning of family to include spiritual family—for those who call him Lord. How extraordinary! Without diminishing natural families, he gave us what we would need to walk as Christ-followers in a broken world. Imperfect men and women who would speak truth to us, stand with us in faith, encourage us, and even weep with us. A people with whom we could experience his love and build his kingdom, using the grace and gifts the Father has given us. Together. Spiritual family. God’s gift. Hymnist John Fawcett captured the strength of community we experience together in his hymn “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.” “We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear, And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear.” REFLECTION Jesus broadened the concept of family to include spiritual relationships without diminishing natural family ties. In what ways do you find it challenging or rewarding to balance commitments to your natural family and your spiritual family? How can you improve in nurturing both? APPLICATION Identify someone in your spiritual family who may need support. Commit to spending time with them, offering assistance, and praying with and for them. PRAY Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of family. We are grateful for our natural families and the love and support they provide. We also thank you for our spiritual family and the community of believers you placed in our lives. Help us to cherish and nurture these relationships, recognizing them as your provision for us to walk faithfully in this world. Jesus showed us the importance of caring for one another, even in his final moments. Teach us to look beyond our immediate circles and extend our love and care to those within our spiritual family. May we quickly support, encourage, and stand together in faith, just as you intended. In Jesus’ name, Amen.